W E E S I E'S WOR LD
DID YOU KNOW? Written by: WEESIE WALKER, ATP/SMS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NRRTS
“So they have a common voice…” — Adrienne Bergen In 1992, a group of concerned stakeholders conceived an organization designed to help consumers, clinicians and third-party payers identify qualified suppliers of positioning and mobility products and thus, the National Registry of Rehab Technology Suppliers became an incorporated organization. The Board consisted of: • Chair: Adrienne Bergen • Vice Chair: Simon Margolis • Recording Secretary: Jessica Presperin • Treasurer: David Miller The Regional Review Chairs were Jim Fiss, Robert Krogh, Tom Whelan, Kim Zimmerman, Sheila Delaney, Don Kirson, Terry Sapp, and Gerry Weissman. The advisory council included Peter Axelson, Barbara Bath, Randall Caldwell, Joe Fleming, Kerry Jones, David Kreutz, Hymie Pogir, Kathy Riley, Otto Roberts, Mike Silverman, Susan Taylor, Gerry Warren, and Elaine Woods. This impressive group of people saw a huge need as there were no standards and no requirements for the provision of rehab technology at the time. They put the term Rehab Technology Supplier (RTS) on the map. They developed the Bylaws, the Standard of Practice, the Code of Ethics, and the Complaint Resolution Process for NRRTS. They got the word out. There were dozens and dozens of CRT suppliers. Learning about NRRTS was through word of mouth and publications such as “Team Rehab.” Meetings were held at Medtrade and the Seating Symposium to promote the concept that by bringing
OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS, SOME THINGS HAVE CHANGED, BUT MOST REMAIN THE SAME.
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together the people who shared the vision of how RTSs would practice in a professional, client driven model would benefit everyone. They were truly “Raising the Bar.” Over the past 30 years, some things have changed, but most remain the same. NRRTS’ mission has always been to support the professional CRTS® and RRTS® as a valuable team member in the provision of assistive technology and recognition of the specialized skill required to achieve the best outcomes. With the dedication of countless volunteers throughout the years, NRRTS continues to thrive and improve as an asset to all people who rely on assistive technology. As Adrienne Bergen pointed out in 1992, “We want to try and locate as many suppliers as possible and bring them together, so they have a common voice.” And that has not changed.
CONTACT THE AUTHOR Weesie may be reached at WWALKER@NRRTS.ORG
Weesie Walker, ATP/SMS, is the executive director of NRRTS. She has more than 25 years of experience as a CRT supplier. She has served on the NRRTS Board of Directors, the GAMES Board of Directors and the Professional Standards Board of RESNA. Throughout her career, she has worked to advocate for professional suppliers and the consumers they serve. She has presented at the Canadian Seating Symposium, RESNA Conference, AOTA Conference, Medtrade, ISS and the NSM Symposium. Walker is a NRRTS Fellow.
